The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced it will place all its staff worldwide on administrative leave starting Friday.
The aid arm of US foreign policy also revealed that it will recall all American citizens working with USAID from overseas assignments.
In a statement, USAID said staff leave will begin shortly before midnight on Friday as the wide-ranging implications of President Donald Trump’s drastic policies targeting the humanitarian agency take effect.
The agency clarified that the leave will apply to all USAID direct-hire personnel, except for designated staff responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programmes.
"Essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 3:00 PM (EST)," part of the USAID statement posted on its official website reads.
This decision comes as the potential winding down of the agency threatens the jobs of over 35,000 employees working on USAID-funded programs in Kenya, with thousands more affected globally.
USAID funds health and emergency programs in approximately 120 countries, including some of the world's poorest regions in Africa, as part of the United States’ soft power strategy to counter global rivals.
For personnel currently posted outside the United States, USAID—working in coordination with missions and the Department of State—is preparing a plan in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
As USAID recalls staff and places others on administrative leave, it will arrange and pay for their return travel to the United States within 30 days.
Additionally, it will terminate Personal Services Contracts (PSC) and Institutional Support Contracts (ISC) that are not deemed essential.
"The agency will consider exceptions and travel extensions on a case-by-case basis for personal or family hardship, mobility or safety concerns, or other specific reasons," USAID stated.
For example, exceptions may be granted based on the timing of dependents’ school terms, personal or family medical needs, pregnancy, or other significant factors.
Further guidance on requesting an exception will be provided soon, the agency added.
This move comes as the U.S. government also froze more than $13 million (Sh1.7 billion) in funding for the Kenya-led Multinational Security Mission in Haiti.
The United Nations confirmed the development on Tuesday, catching many off guard, including officials in Kenya.
"The U.S. had committed $15 million to the trust fund; $1.7 million of that had already been spent, so $13.3 million is now frozen," UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters.
"We received an official notification from the U.S. requesting an immediate stop-work order on their contribution."
The international security mission, while approved by the UN Security Council, is not a United Nations operation and currently relies on voluntary contributions.
So far, the mission has made little progress in helping Haiti restore order. Approximately 900 police officers and troops have been deployed from Kenya, El Salvador, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Belize.
